Is this bribe? and is it allowed in Islam?
Mu' meneen Brothers and Sisters,
As Salaam Aleikum wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh. (May Allah's Peace, Mercy and Blessings be upon all of you)
One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:
Assalamualaikum. I am from india and want to work in government sector for which I have to qualify in the respective entrance exams. But I am not willing to read and appear for exams. I have heard that we can pay some lumpsum amount, under the tables, to some officials and reserve our position in the office without the need to write the exam. Does paying such money amount to bribe? If so, is it correct or wrong? In either case, is the money earned through such means halal or haram. Please provide some hadeeths that can make this clear to me. I have many other friends also who are looking at this option to secure a position in the government offices, but we are not sure if it is permissible in Islam. I would be greatful. Jazakallah. Allah hafiz.
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Answer:
In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is none worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.
Bribing is one of the most abhorred civil offenses that destroys society. A devout Muslim who fears Allah swt and The Last Day never resorts to such practices. If you bribe and get the job you will inadvertently be taking the place of a deserving candidate who has the right qualifications. This will be haraam as you are actually snatching the rights of others.
So put all your trust in Allah swt and seek halaal rizq wherein you will receive many blessings and bounties. Islam is the religion of truth and it does not condone anything that is wrong and evil.
Allah says in the Holy Quran Chapter 2 Surah Baqarah verse 188:
Do not usurp one another’s property by unjust means, nor offer it (bribes) to the judges so that you may devour knowingly and unjustly a portion of the goods of others.
Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 3573 Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As
The Messenger of Allah (saws) invoked the curse of Allah on the one who bribes and the one who takes bribe.
To demand or accept a bribe in absolutely any form or under any guise or circumstances is absolutely forbidden in Islam. It is also categorically forbidden in Islam for one to pay a bribe to take something which does not rightfully belong to him or to get something which is the right of someone else.
Allah’s Messenger (saws) mentioned a man who had traveled for a long time. Unkempt and covered in dust, he raised his hands to the heavens (and cried): 'O my Lord!.... O my Lord!.......' His food was unlawful, his drink was unlawful, his clothing was unlawful, and what he had provided to sustain himself with was also unlawful. How could his invocation be accepted?"
Related by Muslim.
Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.
Your brother and well wisher in Islam,
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